The Department of Theatre Studies was established in 1945 together with the Azerbaijan State Theatre Institute, founded on the basis of the Baku Theatre Technical School.
From its earliest years, the Department played a major role in the development of theatre scholarship, criticism, and research in Azerbaijan.
The first cohort of theatre studies students graduated in 1950 and included Turan Javid, Ayisha Gasimova, Fatma Jabbarova, Gulsum Mammadova, Adil Babayev, and Huseyn Abbaszade. The Department was initially known as the Department of Theatre History and was headed by Associate Professor A. Muradov. Over the years, the Department was led by prominent scholars and theatre researchers including R. Huseynov, M. Allahverdiyev, N. Tahmazov, T. Afandiyev, and M. Alizade.
Graduates of the Department have gone on to work in major scientific, cultural, and artistic institutions across Azerbaijan. Among them are theatre scholars, writers, dramaturgs, journalists, and researchers such as Inqilab Karimov, Tamilla Yusifbeyli, Ali Samadli, Isgandar Joshgun, Jabir Safarov, and Geybulla Rasulov.
Since 2007, the Department has operated within the Bologna education system, introducing updated curricula, methodological materials, and contemporary teaching approaches. Particular attention is given to combining theoretical knowledge with practical theatre analysis through creative laboratories, performance discussions, and critical writing workshops.
The Department’s faculty members are authors of numerous scholarly publications, monographs, and translations in the field of theatre studies. Among the notable academic works used in the educational process are publications by Ilham Rahimli, Maryam Alizade, Israfil Israfilov, Aydin Talibzade, and Farida Jalilova, including translations of important international theatre theory texts.
Faculty members actively participate in national and international symposiums dedicated to theatre arts and continue to contribute to the development of Azerbaijani theatre criticism and scholarship through academic, media, and cultural platforms.
Since 2015, the Department has been headed by Professor Aydin Talibzade, PhD in Art Studies.
Academic Staff:
- Aydin Talibzade – PhD in Art Studies, Professor, Honored Art Worker
- Maryam Alizade – Doctor of Art Studies, Consulting Professor, Honored Art Worker, Presidential Scholar, Honorary Diploma Holder of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- Israfil Israfilov – Doctor of Art Studies, Professor, Honored Art Worker
- Ilham Rahimli – Doctor of Art Studies, Professor, Honored Art Worker, Presidential Scholar
- Vidadi Gafarov – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Elchin Jafarov – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Farida Jalilova – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Lala Salimova – PhD in Art Studies, Senior Lecturer
- Aygun Suleymanova – Lecturer
- Aliya Dadashova – Lecturer
- Konul Jafarova – Lecturer
- Dilshad Ahmedzade – Lecturer
- Ali Hajiyev – Lecturer
- Sanubar Hashimova – Part-time Lecturer
- Aysel Rustamova – Senior Laboratory Assistant
- Goncha Firudinli – Laboratory Assistant
Courses Offered:
Undergraduate Level:
- Theatre Criticism
- Introduction to the Specialization
- Theory of Drama
- Artistic Styles (by fields)
- History of Azerbaijani Theatre
- History of Eastern Theatre
- History of Russian Theatre
- 19th Century Russian Theatre History
- 20th Century Russian Theatre History
- History of Ancient and Medieval Theatre
- Renaissance Theatre History
- Classical Theatre History
- Enlightenment Theatre History
- 19th Century European Theatre History
- 20th Century European Theatre History
- Theatre History of Post-Soviet Countries
- 20th Century American Theatre History
- World Theatre History
Master’s Level:
- Phenomenology of Criticism
- Theatre Semiotics
- Contemporary Problems of Theatre Studies
- Genre and Style in Theatre
- Artistic Structure of Performance
- Philosophy of Art and Theatre Concepts
- Methods of Compiling Theatre Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
- Theatrical Paradigm of Classical Plays
- Theory of Drama
- Postdramatic Theatre Theory
- Epic Theatre Theory
- History of Drama Theories: from Antiquity to the 21st Century
- History and Methodology of Theatre Studies
- History of Integration of Western and Eastern Theatre
- Modern Azerbaijani Theatre and Theatre Criticism
- Aesthetic Principles of Azerbaijani Theatre
- World Drama on the Azerbaijani Stage
- 21st Century Azerbaijani Theatre
- Modern Russian Theatre and Theatre Criticism (21st Century)
- Modern European and American Theatre
- Modern World Theatre Criticism
- Contemporary Development Trends in Acting
- History of Acting Schools
- Theatre of Turkic-speaking Peoples
- Theoretical Foundations of Directing
- Director’s Dramaturgy